The Progression Guide
Welcome to Highland’s video library for riders who want to get better on purpose. The Progression Guide breaks down the core skills that make mountain biking safer, faster, and more fun. From bike setup and body position to cornering, pumping, jumping, and drops, each episode focuses on a fundamental skill that will help you build confidence and unlock your next level of riding.
Learn the concepts, apply them on the trail, and keep progressing one lap at a time.
- SEASON 1
- SEASON 2 – COMING SOON!
- Vision & Line Choice
- Braking Control
- Linking Features & Trail Sections
- Mental progression: Fear, Commitment & Confidence
Progression starts before you hit the lift.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to dial in your bike for a confident first lap.
Topics covered:
- Suspension setup for bike park riding
- Cockpit adjustments for comfort and control
- Tire pressure for your riding style and terrain
Whether it’s your first day at the park or you’re getting back on the bike after the off-season, these simple setup tips will help you ride with more confidence from the very first run.
Build your foundation on the bike.
Body position is the foundation of every riding skill. A strong, dynamic stance improves balance, control, traction, and confidence on every trail.
Topics covered:
- Proper attack position
- Balance and stability
- Weight distribution
- Staying dynamic through changing terrain
Whether you’re cornering, jumping, or riding technical features, good body position will help you stay in control and ride with more confidence.
Corner with confidence.
Strong cornering skills help you carry more speed, maintain control, and ride with better flow through every turn.
Topics covered:
- Corner entry and exit
- Body position through the turn
- Bike lean vs. body lean
- Generating speed and maintaining traction
Whether you’re navigating flat corners, tight switchbacks, or high-speed berms, these fundamentals will help you ride smoother, faster, and with more confidence.
Generate speed without pedaling.
Pumping is one of the most valuable skills you can learn, helping you carry speed, stay in control, and ride with more flow on any trail.
Topics covered:
- What pumping is and why it matters
- Slow-speed pumping techniques
- High-speed pumping on flow trails and jump lines
- Common mistakes and how to correct them
Master the fundamentals of pumping to ride smoother, faster, and with more confidence on every lap.
Take control in the air.
Jumping is one of the most exciting and rewarding skills in mountain biking, helping you build confidence, control, and flow every time your wheels leave the ground.
Topics covered:
- Approaching jumps with control
- Loading the bike for lift
- Staying balanced in the air
- Smooth, controlled landings
Whether you’re learning your first tabletop or progressing to bigger features, these fundamentals will help you ride with more confidence, style, and consistency.
Ride drops with confidence.
Drops don’t have to be intimidating. With the right fundamentals, they become smooth, controlled features that build confidence and flow.
Topics covered:
- Approaching the edge with proper body position
- Timing and commitment off the lip
- Staying balanced in the air
- Spotting and absorbing smooth landings
Whether you’re learning your first drop or progressing to larger features, these skills will help you ride with more control, consistency, and confidence.
NEW EPISODES COMING SOON . . .
Enjoy what you’ve watched and ready for more? The Progression Guide is just the start. Take the next step in your riding with a private lesson at Highland, where our coaches can tailor instruction to your goals, riding style, and current skill level. Book a session and turn what you’ve learned into real on-trail progress.